Last post of the year. Last post of the decade. Welcome 2010!

Spending the last day of 2009 cleaning up barf. Logan was sick yesterday with a stomach bug. I had hoped that it was just his stomach retaliating against the antibiotics he needed last week for his ear infection, but tonight Hunter-Pooh-McGoo started throwing up 8 hour old milk. Uh, yuck? I hope we are leaving this junk in 2009. Where it belongs.

Happy New Year all!

TV or not TV. That is the question.

Have I mentioned that I like TV a little more than I should?

Well I do.

I TiVo things.

Soap Operas.

Game shows.

Planet of the Apes marathons.

Oprah.

I got my darling 3 year old on the stuff too.

McJunior is his favorite show.

Nevermind that it is a channel called Nick Junior.

TV sucks me in.

It is such a good friend to me, but it seems to take more than it gives.

It was taking up to $100 a month.

It tells me:

my house isn't pretty enough,

that I don't eat right, but then entices me promises of hot pizza,

I need a beauty product,

that I can't miss this sale,

I need a new couch,

that Oprah knows all the answers.

It also entertains me.

I'm seriously thinking about taking a break from my 52 in bestie.

I have already started by down-grading my satellite service.

We now have the "family" programming.

Thank gawd I still get BYU TV.

The problem is that we are 6 months into a 3 year contract, so we still pay even if we cancel.

Bummer.

I may "hold" the service for a month or 2.

I don't know.

TV or not TV?

Just when you think you are getting somewhere...

You find yourself out of gas.

Not a good day.

My guide to anti-consumerism - Part 1 - Grunge Helped

I am more than sick of stuff. And by stuff, I mean STUFF. All of it: television, ad after ad telling us what a great deal it is to buy more and more of it.

I have always had an anti-consumerism spirit about me. My junior and senior years of high school had me exclusively shopping at thrift and vintage clothing stores. But, I mean, it was the mid '90's. It's not like grunge wasn't in full force and I didn't complete the look with a full sea-green head of ManicPanic dyed hair. It was during that time that I stopped listening to commercial radio, going to see anthing other than "art house" movies, and the only label you could see on my clothing hinted that I was an "All Star". Those were the days of my $8 prom dresses and before original clothing was mass produced. When I was as freeded from the contraints of tapered jeans, as the women of the '60's were freed from the shackles of bras. I owned a first generation Victoria's Secret Miracle Bra. And it felt great.

I boycotted Shell for over 10 years due to the atrocities committed against the indiginous people of someplace, somewhere that Shell obtained oil from. And to think of the uproar against drilling in Alaska. I later found out that the Pepsi Corporation was somehow involved, but since google didn't exist yet, it was too difficult to find out in what way. So I continued to drink Pepsi. I know. I'm such a hypocrite.
I eventually ventured back into the mall and that's when I discovered Express was willing to give me a credit card. Suddenly I found myself grabbing a sweet outfit there before the band I was in had a show. It was the year of the pencil skirt and snappy sweater sets. I was hooked. And it helped that the pieces looked great with my actual vintage duds. I had a credit card, soon four of them, and I started buying into the idea that I "deserved" or "needed" to buy something. At least I did it with style, right?

Wordless Wednesday: Santa is coming on a Jet!

I am pleased to list this post at 5 Minutes For Mom's "Wordless Wednesday".

Hotslings Baby Carrier Give Away from 11th Heaven's Homemaking Haven

11th Heaven's Homemaking Haven is giving away a gorgeous Hotslings baby carrier!

To enter click HERE.

Birth in the 21st Century

 It is nice to have options for birthing in this modern age.

Some women love the medical intervention they are offered,

but others,

like

my lovely

Bradley

instructor

D.A.,

go for as

little

as possible.

D.A.

gave birth

to

baby number

5

yesterday.

She was at home.

In a birthing pool.

Surrounded by

her

4

young

boys.

(All

7

years old 

and 

under.)

Her husband

was 

deployed 

"over seas"

less than

a 

month

ago.

This was the

FIRST

birth

he could not

coach

his wife through.

A

simple,

natural,

brith of a

child,

with the

aid

of some 

VERY,

modern, 

technology.

Daddy got to

support

his

wife

with the

aid of

SKYPE.

I know!

All the way from

IRAQiSTAN

(or where ever the heck he is)

It was

especially

exciting

because it

was the

birth

of their

FIRST

daughter!!!!!!!

Congratulations

to you all!

Welcome

Victory

!!!!

don't you all think that's an amazing name?

music, why are you being such a jerk?

I am displeased with music at the moment.

I generally love music.

In fact,

I live for it's

melodic pleasures.

But a switch has been

flipped.

I hear songs

and feel

annoyed.

I give a new band a try

(read that aweful WILCO)

and

could whip

out the Bic

and

dissect my wrists.

I see Tim McGraw on

Oprah

(I know! My life will improve when she retires. I wonder if she's going to get Tyra to replace her?)

and think

who

encourages

his mediocre singing?

And not so much the music,

but the personal

and

prfessional endeavors

of my

ABSOLUTE

favorite band

of

all.

freaking.

time.

PEARL JAM

YOU. ARE. MESSING. WITH. MY.

MIND.

It is coming guys.

I will give you a big ole

slice

of it soon.

Untill then.

I will relax to the sounds of

my

Bluegrass Baby-Daddies

at least I'm

pretty

sure one of them is the

cause of my

swelling womb

It was either them

or

the guy I'm

married

to.

Authentic Christmas

I get all my advise from Oprah.

Don't you?

She recently had Alicia Keys as a guest and asked her if her family exchanged gifts at Christmas.

Alicia replied, "Only if it feels authentic."

Oprah was just delighted that Alicia was so enlightened.

My thought?

Wait just one hot little minute.

In your family, you only get someone a gift if it feels AUTHENTIC?

So in your enlightened universe
you visit with friends and family?

You have a beautiful dinner.

You sing in front of the fire.

Have a little egg nog.

And then you exchange gifts.

One for you.

And one for you.

And....

I didn't get you anything thing

because I couldn't find anything that felt

AUTHENTIC

There was nothing online,

in stores,

or on this

PLANET

that made ME 

feel good enough to give

YOU

But thank you for this beautiful picture frame,

So thoughtful of you!

Now.

Would you ever have the nerve to abandon 

gift giving

 because it didn't feel

AUTHENTIC?

Neither would I.

This concept is more

LAME

than

enlightened.

Sarcasm ever?

I like to think I have a way with words.

I am so gifted in the art

that few people are at my ADVANCED level.

Some times this causes a few

misunderstandings.

See,

I forget.

I forget, that regular folk

are just happy to be going about

their business.

Then I come along.

Example:

Folks:

(referring to my pregnant belly

and the 1 and 3 year old I'm dragging behind me)

So, uh, ya gonna have any more?

Me:

Not with this husband!

Folks:

(silence)

Death. Actually.

Logan: Mom, do panda bears die too.

Mom: Yes, buddy, they do.

Logan: But why, mom?

Mom: Every animal will die sometime.

Logan: Every animal?

Mom: Eventually.

Logan: No mom, ACTUALLY. Not eventually. All animals will ACTUALLY die.

I mean. really. It's a bit much.

Because I am writing this blog, I can't ever link it to my Facebook page.

I should probably take a "page" (haha) from Nancy and just ignore it or try harder.

But I HAVE been trying.

I have been trying for a whole week.

I just don't have it in me any more.

What, pray tell, am I referring to, you so eagerly ask?

I girl from High School friend-requested me on FB.

The name sounded familiar.

I consulted with my sister.

"She was in choir with us, remember?"

Uhhhhhh, sure. I guess.

Nice girl.

Sweet girl.

SUPER JESUS FREAK!

I mean like, HUGE!

I know, I know, I know.

Jesus it King!

Jesus is Lord!

HE IS FORGIVING ME FOR WRITING THIS, AS I AM WRITING THIS!

I mean, he already knew I was going to write this, before I wrote this and forgave me.

I mean, he forgave me for writing this before I even switched from MySpace to Facebook.

Or before I was born.

Or before my mother and father were born.

Or before my grandparents were born.

He even forgave me before EVOLUTION!

He is one swell dude.

Or dudes.

All three in one.

That blessed Trinity.

(also my personal pick for a girls name)

I get it.

People love their Jesus.

I think he was a pretty cool dude.

But everyfreakinstatusupdate...

It's a bit much.

I know what you're saying,

"She's over reacting"

"Who cares if this chick is hot for Yahweh?"

But you haven't had to see a gazillion status updates!

I would totally say the same thing, if this chick was hot for

her boyfriend

her dog

even

the stinkin' Twilight books

Should I have to suck it up just because she's givin' a

shout-out

to the Liz-ord?

I'm taking the power back.

I'm gonna do it.

I'm going to show you lovelies a sample of her work.

(My FB friend) is in the world, but not of it! All the things of this world fade away, but God & His Kingdom stand forever! He is the Eternal & Uncreated One! "God, strengthen me to set my mind & heart on You only, for through You all things were made by You & for You! I want to see through Your eyes more & not my own! My life is in You & in You I have my being!" Jn. 1:3 & Acts 17:28

(My FB friend) is learning more & more that surrendering everything to God is not easy, but it's worth it! His plans are way better than mine even when I don't realize it or understand it! He knows what He is doing & I can rest in that! He is the Perfect Father & Lover!

Incest, anyone? That last line kind of makes me shutter, while throwing up in my mouth.

(My FB friend) was blessed by Kevin Pratt's sermon on what true justice is. I am excited about the way God is moving upon more hearts in the body of Christ to reach out & bless the poor, orphans, foreigners, & widows! ~James 1:27 Religion that God our Father accepts as pure & faultless is this: to look after orphans & widows in their... distress & keep oneself from being polluted by the world.

There is more.

So very much more.

I mean, really.

Really.

Blogging away!

So how many of you are blog, but your wonderful posts just don't make it to "paper"?

That's me! Creator of blog posts, that just stay up here (up here=my brain).

I plan to extract them from my brain and place them here soon.

Very soon. It's getting kind of crowded up here.

Friday

It seemed to rain at the best times this past holiday weekend. Friday was all about yard work. Mom and Dad were here and they help us with our, practically hopeless, landscaping. Who would have thought planting four bushes and a tree hours? Well it did, but it started to rain as soon as we finished, which is always a good thing for new plantings.

While we were digging Logan was entertaining himself with a tiny toad. He seriously fell in love with this toad! It was about the size of a quarter (maybe slightly bigger, but not much) and he loved on it. Stroking it's tiny back, kissing it (I know, gross), holding it by one little leg. Grandma finally had the idea to put it in a bucket with some water and a few rocks. It got it out of Logan's "loving" hands, but not for long. Every time the toad jumped (not high , remember this thing is itty-bitty), swam, or blinked, Logan had to pick up the toad and bring it to me to tell me if it's adventure. He even thought it was a good idea to put a rock on top of it (the toad was "hiding"). I finally had to let the toad "go find it's momma" when it was floating upside down in the bucket. Let not your heart be troubled though, toady was fine. I let him go into a brush pile and he hopped away as fast as his little legs could carry him. Logan was not as happy. He bawled his eyes out.

After some napping and a Lowe's, Walmart and Auto Zone run, we finished off the day with home-made fried chicken. Yum! It amazes me that people still fry their own chicken! lol

Where is Richard Simmons when you need him?

Apparently he's challenging Anderson Cooper to a Lady Gaga dance off.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a7lUo-pvGLM

ADD Mommy

So it's official. I have ADD. I have been putting off this diagnosis for years, because I have been more focused on my back/neck/spine/muscle/arm/hip/leg/foot issue(s). As part of my "When We Move" mission, I broke down and went to get a clinical diagnosis. The last four years have been a sea of pregnancy and breast feeding and those two things don't mix with the stimulants of an ADD treatment.
Or do they?
*sigh*
So.... I have been waiting all this time to begin treatment. Years and years. And my new doctor doesn't believe stimulants work in Adult ADD. Whaaa? Seriously, you say? He wants to put me on an anti-depressant! Effexor or Wellbutrin. Drugs that I could have been taking this ENTIRE TIME!!!!!! Granted, it's not "ideal" for your baby to breast feed while on either of these drugs, but I still COULD have.
I am still going to do a bit more research about those drugs and ADD, so if anyone can share info about those drugs and/or about Adult ADD please do!

Standing Still

I can feel the world moving, but I am standing still.
I need to get moving.
Get organized.
Get settled.
That day is coming.
I wish it could all happen in that day.
Lead by Oprah's team of,
poster making,
Best Life living,
favorite things buying,
"Secret" telling,
hormone injecting
disciples.
Please, deliver me from the Evil that is my
Life.

Weekend Recap

Logan hates Tiny Tee's (3-4 year old T-Ball training). Hates, hates, hates it. I started a post describing the insanity that is Tiny Tee's, but it will have to wait.

Hunter is cutting all his 1 year molars, is still have ear issues, and yacked ALL over me on Saturday. The kind that soaked through my bra and underwear.

The Scott Joplin Festival is little more than various piano players playing "The Entertainer" over and over again. Apparently, that and 52 old people equal a festival. The fact that EVERY business in town with a digital or changeable letter sign said, "Welcome Scott Joplin Festival Visitors!" I was expecting a slightly more festive atmosphere. I, of course, will be attending all future Scott Joplin Festivals.

Drama right now. Will add more later...

I think we all have this idea that our lives will be better, dare say, almost perfect when we achieve a certain goal. This family's goal was to get moved and settled into a new house, in a new town. Well, things are not yet perfect. They are better. It's just that the "little" things are starting to get to me. The crappy, uneven dirt yard with the sink holes. The lack of furniture in the living room. The random crap in the bedrooms. I just want to pull the covers up over my head. I am just. So. Sick. Of. It. All. Yes, yes, yes. I am.

I have some ideas for the new furniture, but don't feel like spending the money. I'm sick of spending money. I guess Suze Orman, with all her, "Who are you try to impress with all that new furniture?" talk has gotten me a bit reluctant to do just that. I don't want to send my family into finincial ruin for the love of a beautiful leather sofa set, ya know?

I sure wish we were getting that Obama $8,000 tax credit. Hear that Obama? Bring it!

No, not the ear!

So after after almost a week on drops, Hunter's ear infection in his left ear is back. I guess that explains the four hour nap on Monday! So he is back on another, higher dose, of antibiotics. I really want to get him to an ENT, but the new doctor is not convinced that is necessary yet. She wants to finish this antibiotic course and go from there. I imagine that it take weeks/months to get into an ENT, so I may just schedule an appointment, just in case. I can always cancel it, right?

Hunter is such an amazing little guy, I can only imagine he would be reading Chaucer and doing back flips if he didn't have to endure these ailments. The good news is that he has gained a half a pound is the last two weeks and is now tipping the scales at a whopping 19 pounds! At almost 14 months, his weight leaves somthing to be desired. We are down to one morning feeding a day from Mommy and he has finally taken fully to the soy milk. I thought that once breastfeeding had subsided, I would never get to snuggle with him, but he has gotten so sweet and gives the best hugs and kissed!

Here!

We are in our new, and I do mean new, house in Sedalia, MO. While it is a change from SOMD, it has it's good points:

1. We have space to breathe! This house is 1700 sq. feet has has another 1500+ finished sq. feet in the basement. Sweet, Jesus, that sure beats > 1100 finished and 500 "ghetto" finished.

2. We got extras! Granite! Real tile! Extra lot! Garage! Driveway! Huge tub, with get this, JETS!Can I get another, Sweet, Jesus? We also got the fatty basment bar, bedroom and bathroom. Let's not forget the to give props to the Toy room! Whoot!

3. We get Daddy back! No more permanent night shift! Eating meals together, quality time, and the coveted, help at bed time. Sweet, sweet, sweet! Guess who can now enjoy a glass of wine in the evening? Booyah!

We do miss, miss, miss our friends, but we do hope to meet our new bosom soon. Hopefully they will not have mulletts, have most if their teeth, and only watch NASCAR when there is absolutely nothing else on TV. *Sigh*

when we move...

So I have been compiling a list of bad habits and behaviors that will change or go away WHEN WE MOVE.

1. There are no Pull-Ups at our new house, only underwear. I said I wanted to wait to potty train Logan WHEN WE MOVE. People, I thought that was going to be last July, maybe August. 2008. Not almost May 2009.

2. No more junk food. I will plant my own garden, shop at the farmers market and cook only from scratch. WHEN WE MOVE.

3. No more TV for Logan. I have never been a big fan of the TV for LV, but Matt, being basically raised on TV, thought it to be just fine to let him watch 4 hours of PBS Kids a day. (He's learning! It's educational!) Since that meant I got a few extra minutes of sleep, I didn't put up too much of a fight. I have let Logan, at two mind you, do something I didn't plan to even let him have as a teenager; a TV in his bedroom. Keep in mind that this was a c-section, daddy working nights, breastfeeding 24/7 induced decision that was only to be for a few months. It will stop WHEN WE MOVE. It's been almost a year. Sorry buddy!

4. Exercise. We are going to run that marathon, hike that mountain, or maybe just bike the Katy Trail to the Wineries, but we will get in shape WHEN WE MOVE.

5. I will contiune to update this (stupid) blog on a regular basis WHEN WE MOVE. Ha!

More resolutions to come! I will get them posted, because I probably won't have time WHEN WE MOVE.

Really back. No, really.

Soooo. Where to begin? Matt has started his new job and is currently living in a crappy apartment in Sedalia, MO, while the boys and I are still at our house in Southern Maryland. The house is on the market, but despite several price reductions, it's not selling. The house is a great little house, but it's on a main road, on a golf course, and near an eyesore we affectingly call "the crack house." So much for location, location, location! Houses are selling. People are buying. People are not even looking at our house. Despite the negatives, there are definitely positives. It is directly across from an awesome park, with an amazing playground and pool/water park, it has a full basement (not many houses at this price have basements), 4 year old bathrooms, carpet, stainless appliances, and neutral paint, 2 year old roof and 1 year old siding. It'll happen, but we are ready to go!



Logan's potty training stalled after a nasty bout of the stomach flu at Christmas, but he is showing signs that he is ready to move forward. Almost. As you may recall, I was waiting to potty train after we moved, but I thought we would be moving LAST July, August, September, November, or January. He recently made a HUGE step though. He no longer needs to use a potty seat! He finally figured out that he will not fall in! He is such a wienie.